Prediction: Burnley vs West Ham

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to widen their buffer in the top-four this weekend, West Ham will make the trip to Turf Moor on Sunday afternoon when they face off against Burnley.

Burnley

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a hugely worrying display on their travels last weekend, there is no doubt that Burnley find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. Handing fellow bottom-three candidates Newcastle their first victory of the season after getting hit with a 1-0 defeat at St. James’ Park, the Clarets have had little to cheer about since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Still sat three points adrift of safety, Sean Dyche’s men have now managed to win just one of their last 10 outings, a run that stems all the way back to a 4-1 win against League Two side Rochdale on EFL Cup duties back in September. Now drawing back-to-back blanks, Burnley could also be concerned by their most recent meetings against the Champions League dreamers. Including a 2-1 defeat when they welcomed West Ham to Turf Moor, the Clarets suffered back-to-back Premier League losses against the Hammers last season.

Team News

Still dealing with a thigh injury, striker Ashley Barnes will once again miss out at Turf Moor this weekend.

However, in what could be a real boost for the Clarets, both Ben Mee and Maxel Cornet could feature despite dealing with a pair of knocks.

West Ham

As for the visitors, while a heavily-altered West Ham side might have suffered a 1-0 loss against Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the week, that will not dampden the mood in their camp. Managing to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Europa League with time to spare, David Moyes’ men were also last seen on domestic duties putting on a stellar display. Continuing to impress many across the Premier League over the past 18 months, the Hammers handed Chelsea their second defeat of the season after an action-packed 3-2 win last weekend. Still holding a four-point buffer in that lucrative fourth-spot and with some tipping them to sneak a debut Champions League campaign this time around, the former Manchester United boss has seen his side put their brief wobble behind them. Although West Ham might be dealing with an injury crisis at the back, Moyes’ men will be looking to lay down another marker at Turf Moor this weekend.

Team News

In what is another real blow for West Ham, summer arrival and French international Kurt Zouma is expected to miss the next 8-12 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Likewise, also limping off against Chelsea last weeekend, fellow defender Ben Johnson will also miss out at Turf Moor.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off last season, West Ham picked up back-to-back victories, including a 2-1 win at Turf Moor.
• Burnley have recorded just a single Premier League victory since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
• The Clarets have also failed to find the net in back-to-back outings.
• West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini has recorded back-to-back Premier League goals.
• The Hammers have won as many as 21 top-flight matches in a calendar year for the first time since 1986. They have only twice fared better: 23 wins in 1959, and 22 victories in 1930.

Conclusion

Although a heavily-alterted West Ham side might have signed off their Europa League group stage run with a defeat, the Hammers will be confident of laying down another Premier League marker here. Landing a turnaround 3-2 win against London rivals Chelsea last weekend, Sunday’s guests have their sights firmly set on clinching a maiden Champions League spot this season. Appearing to have put their minor blip behind them, Burnley could face another tough test at Turf Moor. Managing to pick up just a single Premier League win since opening the 2021/22 campaign, the Clarets are at the heart of a relegation scrap. With West Ham landing back-to-back victories against Burnley last season, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

Verdict: West Ham win

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet